Second-year biochemistry undergraduate Abhiram Singh is one of four UCLA students to be named Goldwater Scholars in 2025. The prestigious national scholarship supports students who show promise of being part of the next generation of research leaders.
This year, 441 scholarships were awarded from more than 5,000 applicants. UCLA’s newest Goldwater Scholars represent a range of disciplines, from biochemistry to computer science and beyond, exemplifying the curiosity and passion that undergraduate researchers bring to campus.
Established in 1986 by Congress to honor the work of the late Senator Barry Goldwater, the award is given to sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Goldwater Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books and room and board minus the amount of support provided for by other sources, up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year.
This year’s 2025 Goldwater Scholars are featured in a new video below:
Excerpt from an UCLA Undergraduate Education news article (by Kayla McCormack ):
Four Bruins awarded Goldwater Scholarships
Four UCLA undergraduates have been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. This nationally competitive award recognizes college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise as future leaders in STEM research.
This year, 441 scholarships were awarded from more than 5,000 applicants. The award provides up to $7,500 to assist with the cost of tuition and other educational expenses. UCLA’s newest Goldwater Scholars represent a range of disciplines, from biochemistry to computer science and beyond, exemplifying the curiosity and passion that undergraduate researchers bring to campus.
Learn more about each of the scholars below, as they share what excites them most about their fields and how the Goldwater Scholarship will shape their next steps.
Singh is a second-year biochemistry major who is interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in immunology. His goal is to lead a research lab, teach medicine at the university level and mentor student researchers and aspiring doctors.
Abhiram Singh
What aspect of your chosen field do you find most interesting?
The human body’s sheer complexity continues to show us that there is a lot to learn and potentially harness to improve our own health, and this is especially the case when it comes to the immune system. From developing precision medicine techniques on an individual level to understanding how we can eradicate or prevent disease on a global scale, we have within ourselves an unimaginably intricate defense system.
What does winning the Goldwater Scholarship mean to you?
Being chosen for this scholarship is an amazing honor and I am thrilled to join a community of aspiring researchers and scientists across the country who are passionate about discovery. It has fueled my motivation to continue my research journey and I am grateful to UCLA for supporting my goals.
How did the Center for Scholarship and Scholar Enrichment support you through the application process?
I heard about the scholarship through an Instagram post from the Center for Scholarships & Scholar Enrichment (CSSE) office. From the day I applied, Dr. Rebecca Blustein, an advisor from the office, kindly made herself available to meet with me regularly, sharing crucial advice on how to tackle the essay prompts and ask for recommendations respectfully. I’m grateful to her and the CSSE for providing me with wisdom in an often-overwhelming sea of knowledge.
What are your plans for continuing your academic journey after earning your undergraduate degree?
As a pre-medical student, I am excited to explore specialties and pursue a career in the clinic where I can serve and comfort others. As an aspiring scientist, I think the most exciting forefront of research is the moment where an innovation in the lab becomes accessible in the real world. To lead a lab bringing the science from bench to bedside and from pipettes to people would be a dream come true.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
